[NCLUG] Install fest help

[Person Who Asked To Have Her Name Removed From The Internet]

I am interested in attending, 
but I'm a geek-wannabe so I need lots of help.

I've got a 40Gig HD on an Athlon machine that
needs an install of Linux.  I wanted to get 
Debian installed, but had a hard time trying to do so.
(I think cfdisk is crap)
Currently stuck trying to get XF86Setup to recognize
my supposedly PS/2 mouse.  Bit of a drag having
Linux running but no GUI.
Got a copy of Madrake that I will try.

Also have two other hard drives that want 
to be connected to my machine.  One has Windows/Linux
and the other Debian Linux.
Would like to have one set up as an external drive
(buy some hardware thing-e-me-bob that takes an
internal drive and converts to external? )
and the other wants to be installed, and accessible
via LILO.  
Anyone anywhere can help with a debian install?

Also, if I can get my desktop computer all happy
then would love to get my laptop doing a dual boot
with a simple linux (i.e. not debian) and windows
(98, as ME takes up a GIG of HD space!!!)

and of course, need a way to connect my laptop
to my desktop.  Guess I'll hafta go find some
cable of some sort.

So, that's what I need to do, any pre-InstallFestDay
ideas/suggustions/recommendations?  
Any suggustions on cable/hardware/ and/or monitor for me?
any more free cables/hardware/monitors?
thanks
liz

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- Person Who Asked To Have Her Name Removed From The Internet 
- preserver of butterflies, admirer of trees, conquerer of challenges

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